Adding peer feedback to coaching conversations gives us a fuller picture of how a direct report is doing. While managers have great insights into performance, peers can offer a unique perspective on how someone works within the team, collaborates, and contributes. This extra feedback helps uncover strengths and areas for growth that might not come up in a one-on-one with a manager. By including peer feedback, we create a more well-rounded, honest, and helpful coaching process that supports both individual development and stronger team dynamics.
Setup Peer Feedback (Admin's Only)
Step 1: Go to Conversation Settings
Under the Admin tab, navigate to Conversation Settings. From here, you can either create a new conversation template or edit an existing one to include peer feedback.
Step 2: Enable Peer Feedback
Within the template settings, turn on the Peer Feedback option.
Important: Be sure to clearly label templates that include peer feedback—for example, rename the template to something like "Coaching Conversation + Peer Feedback" to avoid confusion.
Step 3: Add Questions for Peers
Select Add Custom Question to begin. To enable peer feedback, you must include at least one question in the template that will be answered by a peer.
Helpful Tip: Here are a few example questions you might consider:
What does this person do well that positively impacts the team or your work together?
What is one opportunity for this person to improve or grow in their role?
How effectively does this person communicate and collaborate with others?
When creating the question, select Peers from the “Answered by” dropdown. This ensures the question is only sent to peers for feedback.
Step 4: Communicate the Update
Notify your organization that a peer feedback-enabled template is now active. Be clear with managers about the updated expectations for including peer feedback in coaching conversations and which template to use.
Here's How It Works
Step 1: Manager Starts Conversation with Direct Report
The manager will click on the Direct Reports tab under My Profile. Find the direct report they wish to initiate a conversation with. Click on Start Conversation.
Step 2: Select a Template with Peer Feedback
A pop-up window will appear prompting the manager to select a conversation template. This is why it's essential to communicate to managers which template includes peer feedback.
Select the appropriate template, then click Next to continue.
Step 3: Complete the Setup Details
The manager can choose the internal and/or external peers they'd like to invite to provide feedback for their direct report. They will also set a target date for when they'd like responses submitted. Once all details are entered, click Start Conversation to send the requests.
An automated email will be generated and sent to the direct report and the peers with instructions for completion.
Step 4: Internal/External Peers Complete Feedback
Internal Peers: Team members within your organization who have been asked to provide feedback can respond to peer questions by navigating to the Peer Feedback tab under My Profile. All open feedback requests assigned to them will be visible and accessible from this tab.
External Peers: Individuals outside your organization will receive an email with a unique link that takes them directly to their assigned questions.
Step 5: Manager Views Peer Feedback Responses
To view peer feedback, a manager will open the conversation and scroll to the questions assigned to peers. Click View Peer Feedback to read the submitted feedback.
Important Note: Peer feedback responses are only visible to the manager and are not shared with the direct report.
If you still have questions, check out our Help Center for additional resources.